The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-10
A MAST r OF FENCE.
Jean Louis Meets and Kills Is Success
sive Opponents in an Hour.
from the outing for October.

sive Opponents IN an Hour.
Prom. the outing for October
To riv. an idea of what brave man can
do if he knows fencing thoroughly, and
Int keer,s cool and collected in danger, we
will relate an historical duel. So extraor-
binary is this combat, that it would be held
a romance, had it not been witnessed by a
whole army. The hero is Jean Louis, one
Of the great masters of the beginning of this
century, and the duel happened in Madrid,
in 1878. He was the Master at-arms of the
Thirty-second Regiment of French Infantry:
the First Regiment, composed entirely OF
Italians, formed part of the same bri-
gade. So
Regimentai esprit de corps and rivalries
of nationality caused constant quarrels,
when swords were often whipped out or bull
LET'S exchanged. After small battle had
occurred in the streets of Madrid, in which
over 200 French and Italian soldiers had
taken part, the officers of the two regiments
decided to give such breaches of order a
great blow, and to re-establish discipline
fbey decreed that the Master alarms of the
two regiments should take up the quarrel
and fight it out.
Imagine a whole army in battle array
ON one of the large plains that surround
Madrid In the centre large ring is left
open for the contestants! This spot is
raised above the plain, so that not one of
the spectators will miss one phase of the con-
test.
The drum is heard; two men naked to the
waist, step in the ring. Tie first is tall
and strong, his black eyes rove disdainfully
upon the gaping crowd; he Is Giacomo Fer
rari. the celebrated Italian. The second,
tall. also handsome, and with muscles like
steel, stands modestly awaiting the word
of command, his name is Jean Louis. The
witnesses assume their places on either side
of their principals. A death-like silence
ensueS.
''On guardw
The two masters cross swords; Giacomo
Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean Louis;
but in vain, his every thrust is met by
parry. He makes up his mind to bide his
chance, and caresses and leases his oppon-
ent's blade Jean Louis, calm and watch
full, lends himself to the play when, quicker
than lightning the Italian jumps aside with
a loud veil, and makes terrible lunge at
Jean Louisa Florentine trick, often sue
cessful. But, with extraordinary rapidity,
Jean Lous has parted, and risposts quickly
in the shoulder.
ut is nothing" cries Giacor4o, mere
scratch" and they again feiiii On guard; al
most directly he is hit in the breast. This
time, the sword of Jean Louis, who is now
attacking, penetrates deeply. Giacomo's
face becomes livid, his sword drops from his
hand and he falls heavily on the turf. He
is dead
Jean Louis is already in position; he wipes
his reeking blade, then, with the point of his
sword in the ground, he calmly awaits the
next man.
The best fencer of the First Regiment has
Just been carried away a corpse; but the day
is not vet over. Fourteen adversarieS are
there impatient to measure swords with the
conqueror, burning to avenge the master
they had deemed invincible.
Jean Louis has hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. A new adversary stands
before him A sinister click of swords is
heard; a Iunge, parry, rispost, and then
a cry, sigh, and all is over. A second body
is before Jean Louis.
third adv ersary advances. They wanted
Jean Louis to rest.
II am not tired" he answers with
smile.
The signal is given. The Italian has
closely watched Jean Louis play, and thinks
he has guessed the secret of his victories.
He multiplies his feints and tricks, then, all
at once bounding like tiger on his prey,
he gives his opponent a terrible thrust in
the lower line But Jean Louis sword has
parted and is now deep within his oppon-
ent's breast.
What need to relate any more; ten new
adVerSarleS followed nlln, anu tue zen 1911
before Jean Louis amid the excited yells and
roars of an army.
At the request of the Thirty second Regi-
ment's Colonel, who thought the lesson suf-
ficient, Jean Louis, after much pressing,
consented to stop the combat, and he shook
hands with the two survivors, applauded by
10000 men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic combat might
be held fable were not all the facts above
stated still found in the archives of the
Ministry Of War.